We are witnessing a political rollback that many still struggle to comprehend: In elections, right-wing populists are triumphing, and racism, homophobia, and religious fundamentalism are on the rise. In light of a troubled world, intellectuals must also subject the circumstances of their actions to critical analysis. Geoffroy de Lagasnerie calls for questioning the convenience of retreating behind the value neutrality of science and the autonomy of art, and for confronting uncomfortable questions: Does a beautifully written sentence justify a racist statement? Who benefits from science? Only by taking a stand on these issues can we contribute to truly critical thinking.